The Daily Grind: Why You Suddenly Need Starbucks to Get Through Your Day

Starbucks has changed the way the world works. Think about it. You get up, and you need coffee. You hit a stressful point of your day, and you need coffee. To get through the evening, you’re probably going to need some more coffee. We’re picky coffee consumers, though. While our parents probably got by on all-black coffee that was maybe sometimes lightened up with a little milk or sugar, we want it all — the coffee, filled with syrups and flavored creamers, topped with whipped cream, plus maybe some more syrup, sprinkles and a dusting of something sweet. If it’s a really bad day, we may just add in an extra shot of espresso. Our coffee culture vocabularies have expanded tremendously as well. We now all mostly know what it means to order a latte, mocha, cappuccino, espresso, Frappuccino, cold brew or a flat white. With thousands of stores around the globe, it’s hard to even find somewhere Starbucks does not exist.

So why do we love Starbucks so much, and why are most of us willing to throw down at least $5 or more a day to get our fix?

One simple reason is that we love the variety provided. One report states that the average Starbucks-goer can order one of more than 19,000 possible combinations when it comes to mixing every kind of coffee, milk, flavoring, preparation type and more. This allows every consumer to get exactly what they want, every single time. In addition, the endless variety allows for an exploratory experience as we try out new options, always assured that the result will be the “gourmet” taste the brand offers.

Additionally, it’s been found that Starbucks and other gourmet coffee providers offer more caffeine for your dollar. Some studies show that a Starbucks coffee has twice as much caffeine as what you’d get from the grocery store brews, and definitely more than you’d get from an energy drink. In fact, a Red Bull has 80 milligrams of caffeine. A 20 oz. Starbucks Venti coffee? 500 milligrams. That’s a huge difference. As you’ve probably guessed, caffeine is the most popular natural drug, and as a drug, it indirectly activates reward centers in the brain. Not only does the caffeine make us more alert and alive, but it’s also related to a greater liking of food ingested while on a caffeine high. In other words, the caffeine in your coffee can actually trick you into thinking that you like the taste of your coffee even more. Take out the caffeine, and that coffee just simply isn’t as delicious.

Even if you’re not a huge coffee fan, chances are you enjoy the smell. Starbucks has this all figured out as well. The only food to create the same lasting impression aroma as dark roast coffee is garlic. Not even chocolate can compete. While some say that Starbucks over-roasts its coffee beans, the company has its own special roasting process that’s meant to maximize aroma intensity. The strength of the aroma means it lingers around longer, typically creating permanent aroma memories.

Of course, you can always go to Starbucks and order a different kind of beverage. The Frappuccino is a favorite and makes up almost 15 percent of the company’s revenue. The ice blended drinks are popular with audiences of all ages for a few special reasons. First, Frappuccinos are cold, and cold foods warming up in your mouth have been shown to be more pleasurable than a hot drink cooling down the same way. Second, Frappuccinos are wet, with a moisture level that’s intrinsically rewarding. Lastly and possibly most importantly, Frappuccinos are the perfect blend of salt, sugar and MSG. The sugar content is high, and the sodium content is right at the sweet spot humans love when combined with sugary foods (275 milligrams). Now, you can even buy bottled Frappuccinos in the store.

The next time you reach for your Starbucks coffee, whether you drink it straight black for the caffeine high, or with all the toppings for a truly spectacular taste, give some thought to why you chose the beverage giant over brewing your own cup at home. Maybe you’ll decide it really is worth the cost to enjoy an experience that’s both oh-so psychologically and physically rewarding.